Site Mobile Navigation

SOCCER; Knee Injury Ends Armas's Cup Dream

The wave of serious injuries that has struck World Cup powers like Italy, Germany and England has now also affected the lineup of the United States.

As his teammates had feared, the starting defensive midfielder Chris Armas tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Sunday's 2-1 exhibition victory over Uruguay in Washington. He will miss the World Cup, the national team announced late Sunday night.

The injury did not involve any contact. As Armas tracked Uruguay's Fabian O'Neill on the right wing in the 16th minute, his right knee twisted and buckled. He played for eight more minutes before leaving the field.

''I'm extremely disappointed,'' Armas, who lives in Brentwood, N.Y., on Long Island, said in a statement. ''It was a very odd play, a movement that I have made a thousand times. I had just planted my right foot and I felt the knee go.''

It was the second time a knee injury has kept the popular Armas, 29, from playing in a major international tournament. A sprained ligament in his left knee forced him to withdraw from the United States team before the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Though slight in stature at 5 feet 7 inches and 150 pounds, Armas played steadily in midfield, maintaining proper positioning, winning balls and distributing them to his teammates. He has made 46 appearances with the national team since 1998 and scored 2 goals.

An error has occurred. Please try again later.

You are already subscribed to this email.

For a replacement, Coach Bruce Arena could choose from among three midfielders who were included as alternates on the World Cup roster -- Brian Maisonneuve of the Columbus Crew, who played in the 1998 World Cup; Brian West of Columbus; and Richie Williams of D.C. United.

As for the starting lineup, Arena said he could place John O'Brien, Claudio Reyna, Pablo Mastroeni or Tony Sanneh in defensive midfield, which could force further shuffling of positions in midfield and defense. For instance, the young star Landon Donovan could be placed in the starting lineup at playmaker if Reyna moves back into defensive midfield. If O'Brien is moved inside, Eddie Lewis or DaMarcus Beasley could move into the lineup at left outside midfield.

The absence of Armas, though, brings further concern about an already vulnerable defense. The outside backs, Sanneh and David Regis, struggled against Uruguay. And they will now miss Armas's steadying presence. Arena has two more friendly matches to experiment with a new lineup. The Americans face Jamaica on Thursday at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and the Netherlands on Sunday in Foxboro, Mass.

The United States opens World Cup play against Portugal on June 5, with first-round matches also scheduled against South Korea and Poland.

''I'm extremely disappointed for Chris,'' Arena said. ''Chris has been an outstanding performer with our team and a fine professional. We are indebted to his service to the U.S. national team. He will certainly serve as an inspiration to his teammates this summer.''